Since you asked… context does not necessarily require immediacy. Had the reporter asked a question about the Illinois coaching staff vs the Michigan coaching staff, the context of his answer would be obvious. Critical thinking would not be required.
However, in this case, the context of the matter has an established history, one which does require critical (but not complex) thinking. It began with Kedric Prince’s detailed conversation with Morez about how the Illini staff didn’t appreciate his all around game, especially his three point shot. Later, Morez posted a picture on social media showing him taking his lone three point shot of the season. He has since seemingly gone out of his way to repeatedly praise the current coaching staff for allowing him to evolve his game (the most recent interview was not the first instance of that). And none of this includes his father’s comments about the Illini staff.
In a vacuum, any of these instances wouldn’t mean anything in particular. But added up, and connecting point A to point B to point C, Occam’s Razor would indicate that Morez is taking not-so-subtle jabs at the previous staff — even if he doesn’t realize he’s doing so.
This simple interpretation of context is why we have the saying “me’thinks the lady doth protest too much.”
I'm not mad at Morez and honestly I'll still watch him today and find myself rooting for him.
I've been watching and keeping up with his progression since he was a sophomore in Highschool. At this point, I'm a fan and want Mr. Illinois to succeed (not against us). Like you said, we knew this was a possibility when he didn't start along with TA's exit.
What I have took exception with?
He signed a contract to stay that detailed what his NIL would be.
He was also told that his role and usage would drastically change going into this year.
So he was well aware and okay with where he felt his progression and usage was heading. Even after the guy who recruited him here, was clearly not coming back, btw. (Kinda rare in recent Illinois history considering Chester's recruits)
Then back channeling happens and Michigan offers you 2 million dollars.
My opinion? Take it young man. Truly, if my son was offered the same I'd tell him to do it. Especially since Morez projects as a great college player/fringe League guy, but I hope he proves me wrong.
Instead of just taking the money, and letting it be a business decision as we've seen soo often?
Morez and his father went to the Illinois media and social media and started to frame it solely as a developmental issue in the Illini coaching system and how Illinois didn't believe in him even though he proved it daily at practice....
Is that true though? If Illinois is ANYTHING it's analytical.
You want me to believe that the Illinois staff tracked every single shot you took in practice utilizing the NOAH system and they are just holding you back? If he was shooting the ball well in practice, they would have given him the green light in game. Brad has been surprisingly lenient with freshmen in the past even Sincere Harris took 3s.
Illinois definitely made mistakes with Morez IMO. Mostly in starting Ben over him.
My biggest issue with Morez is not that he left or took more money it's that he has consistently made it a usage and development issue publicly when privately....to those who watched the timeline play out....
It felt like a business decision. (And that's okay)
I think he should have went full heel btw and just said it straight up. Michigan offered me 2 million dollars, Illinois didn't.
In order for it to be a jab, you have to inject the additional context, I just don't think Illinois and Brad is living rent free in Morez's head like he apparently is a lot of Illini fans
